Category: Culture
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Ritz Theatre
Read more: Ritz TheatreThe Ritz Theatre was located at 819 Penn Street, across from the Kissinger-Farmer’s Market. It was originally called the Crescent Theatre when it opened: The Crescent Theatre was opened in 1910. In 1913 it was renamed Princess Theatre. It was re-named Arcadia Theatre in 1928, taking the name of the Arcadia Theatre which had burnt…
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Farmers-Kissinger Market
Read more: Farmers-Kissinger MarketThe Farmers-Kissinger Market sat on the 800 block of Penn Street, taking up the entire block to Cherry St in Reading. It was opened around Memorial day of 1871. In 1930, they opened a law suit against the city of Reading, due to a dispute about the market building a driveway across the sidewalk of…
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Museum Road – 1927 & Today
Read more: Museum Road – 1927 & TodayBelow are aerial photos of Museum Road, looking toward West Reading. Pictured front and center is the Villa St. Elizabeth, “Home for the aged”. The Reading Public Museum can be seen further in the background, through some trees. Notice the then brand new Reading Hospital building in the top center. Most of Wyomissing was not…
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Northmont School
Read more: Northmont SchoolThe Northmont School was built in 1922 and opened for Reading School District’s 1923-24 school year with six grades in each of its six classrooms. Kindergarten was added for the 1929-30 year but discontinued after 1935. In 1955 the Reading School District discontinued use of the building, but leased the building to Muhlenberg Township for…
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Chubby’s on Penn St 1969
Read more: Chubby’s on Penn St 1969At the far left is the well-known Jimmie Kramer’s “Peanut Bar”, at 332 Penn St, besides which is Chubby’s Italian Sandwiches, a business also once operated on Lancaster Pike, beyond Shillington. This view dates from April 1st, 1969. pictures courtesy of the Passing Scene Today:
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JFK Campaign Stop Berks | 1960
Read more: JFK Campaign Stop Berks | 1960John F. Kennedy (JFK) made a campaign stop in Berks County PA on September 16th, 1960. He was a presidential candidate at the time of the visit, and went on to win the presidency. JFK spoke the a huge crowd in Penn Square after making a parade all the way into town down Route 422.…
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Schmeck’s Food Market
Read more: Schmeck’s Food MarketSchmeck’s was a Pennside food market at the corner of Carsonia and Harvey Avenues. In December of 1970, owner Donald Schmeck sold his market to Earl Redner, founder of Redner’s food stores. He operated it as an IGA grocery store for some time before changing the name to the standard “Redner’s”. Today it is still…
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Reading’s Outer Station and Swinging Bridge
Read more: Reading’s Outer Station and Swinging BridgeReading’s Outer Station Reading’s Outer Station was opened in 1874 on 6th street between Buttonwood and Greenwich streets. Previously the city’s passenger station was a small waiting and room and ticket office on the northwest corner of 7th & Franklin Street. The Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad was the veins of the newly budding industrial city,…
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On this Day – August 24th, 1970
Read more: On this Day – August 24th, 1970Executives of C.K. Whitner Co. hold the doors open for early-bird shoppers as Whitner’s new store in the Berkshire Mall formally opened today. The men are, left to right, James B. Mercer, vice president, F. Ward Coburn, treasurer, and Calvin K. Whitner, secretary. (Left) The progress of contruction of a relocated and wider Lancaster…
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Solar Eclipse – February 26th, 1979
Read more: Solar Eclipse – February 26th, 1979As we gear up for Eclipse day, lets take a look back to the last Solar eclipse that was viewable from Berks County. It occurred on Monday, February 26th, 1979. Moon coverage began at 10:57 am, with peak coverage being around 12:13pm. Where were you during the solar eclipse of 1979? Before and after the…
